Difficult Salvias To Propagate
Difficult Salvias To Propagate come in many forms. Not all Salvias are easy to propagate, in fact there are quite a few Salvias that are not only difficult to propagate, but are difficult to grow and keep, especially in areas that have a damp winter, or humid conditions.
Many of these difficult Salvias come from the Californian area, which has a hot, dry climate, with dry, rocky hillsides often with exposed conditions, here you will find the soil drains very well. Although these areas don’t have a huge rainfall, a lot of moisture is gained through fog, which rolls in at certain times of the day at certain times of the year. Salvias such as: apiana, mellifera, munzii, ‘Bee’s Bliss’, ‘Celestial Blue’ and others.
To be able to grow some of these species well, you should aim for a sunny position with well drained soil, irrigate regularly, but thoroughly, fertilise at least once a year and mulch to keep the root area cool.
Don’t crowd or overcrowd these plants with taller plants, allow the plants to have space and air to eliminate rotting of lower leaves and the build up of leaf mould which could rot, especially if over watered.
To take cuttings of some of these Salvias, tip cuttings of new growth, “when the sap is flowing.” should be selected. This is usually green, rather than brown or grey, and the internodes are further apart from last seasons growth rings.
Some Salvias have hollow stems e.g. S. apiana, which also proves difficult, so attention should be made to cut either through what looks a node or immediately beneath, where the stem is green and not hollow.
Then there are those species from a desert environment or found high up in alps or on rocky screes. All of these areas have low rainfall, hot sun for most of the day, windy conditions and cold dry nights. Most of these species of Salvias are small, having rosette type of growth, producing one or two flower spikes in spring and early summer to take advantage of any moisture and the insects that might be around at that time of year to pollinate their flowers. Their flowers are falcate in shape with interesting patterns on the lower lobes to attract those insects, during the day or night.species such as: canescens, cyanescens, hypargeia, candelabrum, blancoana, recognita and others.
Some species from more Mediterranean areas produce large leaves, again in a rosette formation at the base, before sending up a couple of flower spikes in late spring early summer. The leaves are quite thick, hairy , often very viscose and very pungent. ( some people like this smell and others detest the smell) These qualities are to deter roaming animals from finding the leaves attractive. Such species as: argentea, aethiopsis, desoleana, sclarea, tingitana and many others. These prove difficult to keep during the winter months , especially in a damp season. Drainage and moisture must be monitored.
To propagate these, it’s best to try taking “slips”or offshoots from some rosette types. Wait for 2 nodes at least for a cutting. Most should take if taken before the shoot matures. But again, some prove difficult even with this form of propagation, so often have better results from being propagated by seed. e.g. S.apiana
Then there are those from the Asian areas, most having rosette type of growth. Many of these particular Salvias originate from screes, rocky outcrops or by streams. These can be hard to keep alive, often caused by the drainage not being good enough. Often these Salvias if grown in pots may not come back in the Spring, which is why it’s necessary to take cuttings in early summer to have back up plants if the parents don’t come back again. Drainage and very good potting soil is a very important part of growing these Salvias. These Salvias need to be grown in part shade or dappled sun as most come from the forest floor of cool climates or woodland areas.
Again to propagate these, it’s best to try taking “slips”or offshoots from some of the rosette types. Wait for 2 nodes at least for a cutting. Most should take if taken before the shoot matures. But again, some prove difficult even with this form of propagation, so often have better results from being propagated by seed.e.g S. bulliana and hians
There are a few that are difficult to keep such as S. dombeyi. This is notorious for being difficult. It grows high up in mountainous rainforest, where it receives misty moisture, and plenty of air surrounding the plant. It doesn’t like humidity, being dry, or too wet, but likes airflow.
There are others that just don’t root easily. You have to practice with techniques, when to take the cutting, where to take the cutting, to have a heel or not, the length of the stem etc….. some are just difficult.
A lot of the difficulty with this Salvia comes from being able to keep it growing. Pruning WON’T produce new shoots, but pruning off dead wood and cutting back to a new shoot helps and even tip pruning helps. The good thing is that any cuttings taken, should root easily.
For more information on propagating, please visit the propagating page.
